Treatment of ureterocele on duplex ureter: upper pole nephrectomy by retroperitoneoscopy in children based on a series of 24 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to present the results of a preliminary series of 24 upper pole nephrectomies performed by retroperitoneoscopy in children between 1995 and 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient was placed in the lateral supine position and 3-4 trocars were inserted. Parenchymal section was performed by ultrasound or unipolar scalpel. This series of 24 children consisted of 15 girls and 9 boys with a mean age of 22 months. RESULT: Three cases (12.5%) required open conversion. Nine intraoperative complications (37%) were observed and repaired intraoperatively. Five postoperative complications (20%) consisted of residual perirenal collections, requiring drainage under anaesthesia in only one case. The mean operating time was 2 hours 40 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. The mean follow-up was 32 months. No cases of secondary atrophy of the lower pole were observed. CONCLUSION: Overall, these preliminary results are comparable to those of conventional open surgery. The advantage of this method is a reduction of skin and musculo-aponeurotic scars.